Hunan Daily reported on February 24 (all media reporter Li Chuanxin, correspondent Li Pingzhi and Chen Jing) 32-year-old Mr. Tian woke up and suddenly found that his lower limbs could not move, and his hands were powerless to hold things. After a period of treatment in Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, Mr. Tian recovered and was discharged today. It turned out that Mr. Tian suffered from hyperthyroid periodic paralysis caused by low potassium.
Two weeks ago, Mr. Tian woke up in the morning and found that he could not move his body. He thought he had suffered a stroke. On admission, the patient’s lower extremity muscle strength was grade 0 (grade 0 is complete inability to move, and the larger the number, the stronger the mobility), the muscle strength of both upper limbs was grade 3, and the muscle tone was normal. Serum potassium is only 1.3mmol/L (normal serum potassium is 3.5-5.3mmol/L). If not dealt with in time, there will be danger to life at any time.
“Hyperthyroid periodic paralysis is characterized by recurrent limb weakness and paralysis, often accompanied by hypokalemia. It is a common neuromuscular complication in patients with hyperthyroidism, and sometimes even the first symptom of patients with hyperthyroidism and the reasons for seeking medical treatment.” Cao Yan, director of the second emergency department of the hospital, introduced that the disease is common in young and middle-aged men, often due to staying up late, eating full meals, fatigue, mental stress, cold, drinking, and the use of insulin, diuretics, glucocorticoids, etc. , Eating carbonated beverages can also induce limb weakness. Because the metabolism of glucose will reduce the potassium in the blood potassium, the disease usually starts from the lower extremities. In severe cases, the upper extremities and even the neck muscles will be involved, and there will be slurred speech. Severe hypokalemia can also cause respiratory muscle paralysis, arrhythmia and even cardiac arrest, which is a serious threat to life.
He suggested that if you suffer from the underlying disease of hyperthyroidism, you should regularly check your thyroid function, take medicine on time, work and rest regularly, avoid staying up late, excessive fatigue, drunkenness, etc. Associated complications occur that can lead to serious conditions.
[Editor: Zhou Di]